Dej Kewkacha

Dej Kewkacha, Thai pastry chef and creator of a restaurant group

Dej Kewkacha is a self-taught Thai pastry chef and entrepreneur. He began his career in gastronomy at the age of 22, when he founded the company Kacha Brothers with his siblings. That initiative gave rise to a group that currently manages more than 50 food and beverage outlets under 7 leading brands in Thailand.

His profile combines dessert creation with business management. The source describes him as a television personality and author, as well as a chef, and notes that his innovative style and colorful, vibrant design have attracted international attention.

Brands and outlets

The group operates seven dessert and cafe brands. These include Oyatsu no jikan, Jérôme Cheesecake, Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, Kyo Roll En, Kyo Bar and Kao nom. The flagship brand is Kyo Roll En, presented as Thailand's most popular Japanese dessert cafe chain, with more than 50 outlets in the country. In 2019, Kyo Roll En received the "Best Dessert Cafe" recognition at the Bangkok's Best Restaurants.

Kyo Bar and the omakase dessert concept

Kyo Bar is the chef's personal project and is presented as Thailand's first dessert omakase restaurant. Its evolving menu combines Japanese and Thai ingredients with contemporary techniques. Among the creations cited are a pear and black pepper 'Ravioli', a 'Zen Garden' with sesame, white bean paste and cheese, and a sweet interpretation of a 'BBQ'.

Career and training

Born in Thailand and raised in an international environment, Kewkacha lived in Japan, Singapore and London, experiences that influenced his palate and his global approach to pastry. Before devoting himself to cooking, he earned a master's degree in tourism. His training as a pastry chef is self-taught, without attending traditional culinary schools, and relies on experimentation. He trained at the Ta Vie restaurant in Hong Kong and was the only pastry chef invited to participate in the Cook Japan Project in Tokyo.

He also served as executive pastry chef at Gaggan at Louis Vuitton in Bangkok, where he developed desserts with unconventional textures and flavor combinations, incorporating herbs and vegetables. The source indicates that he was appointed executive pastry chef of the Louis Vuitton restaurant in Bangkok, the luxury brand's first location in Southeast Asia, at LV The Place Bangkok.

Awards

The chef's career has been recognized with several awards:

• Asia's Best Pastry Chef Award 2025, presented as part of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by Valrhona (March 2025).
• Best Pastry Chef 2025, Tatler Best, Thailand (April 2025).
• Pastry Talent of the Year, La Liste, Paris (2023).
• Best Dessert Cafe, Thailand's Best Restaurant Awards, Bangkok (2019), for Kyo Roll En.

The source notes that in 2023 he was distinguished as World's Best Pastry Talent 2023 by La Liste.